While the Iowa Democrats were still thick in the moors of a wake the Republicans immediately stepped into the brave new world of one-party control.

House Speaker Paul Ryan last week talked up taking Medicare private with cheering from the Ways and Means Committee chairman of Texas and Trump’s new Health and Human Services secretary. The Senate already is talking about slowing that process down, knowing the Democrats can block it.

The Iowa Environmental Council, mentioned in a column on Nov. 24, 2016, was founded in 1995 by a group of Iowans with a shared commitment to protecting and preserving Iowa’s environment, and the belief that, unified as a coalition, we can amplify Iowans’ voices and leverage our collective strength to exert greater influence.

At this time of the year “Thanksgiving” it is appropriate to reflect back a short few months ago. The Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight completed two flights, May 7 and Sept. 17. Some 300 plus WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans participated in what most of them referred to “a trip of a lifetime.”

None of this would have been possible without all of the “volunteers” that have helped make this trip a reality. As the veterans have come from central and northwest Iowa, so have the necessary dollars come from central and northwest Iowa for these trips.